Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill:
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 579,905
Transfer to assets held for sale	(134,715)
Foreign currency translation	(5,950)
Goodwill, end of period	439,240
Other Intangible Assets:
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	451,620	463,920
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	6,837	8,599
Accumulated Amortization	(92,794)	(98,547)
Gross Amount	468,457	482,519
Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2013	24,000
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2014	24,000
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2015	24,000
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2016	23,000
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2017	24,000
Aerospace [Member]
Goodwill:
Goodwill, beginning of period	30,786
Transfer to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	30,786
Industrial [Member]
Goodwill:
Goodwill, beginning of period	414,244
Transfer to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency translation	(5,790)
Goodwill, end of period	408,454
Other [Member]
Goodwill:
Goodwill, beginning of period	134,875
Transfer to assets held for sale	(134,715)
Foreign currency translation	(160)
Goodwill, end of period	0
Revenue sharing programs (RSPs) [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Range of life - maximum (in years)	30
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	293,700	293,700
Accumulated Amortization	(57,313)	(54,638)
Customer lists/relationships [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Range of life - minimum (in years)	10
Range of life - maximum (in years)	15
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	91,306	102,806
Accumulated Amortization	(12,088)	(21,727)
Patents and technology [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Range of life - minimum (in years)	7
Range of life - maximum (in years)	14
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	41,972	41,972
Accumulated Amortization	(9,261)	(7,758)
Trademarks/trade names [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Range of life - minimum (in years)	5
Range of life - maximum (in years)	30
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	11,950	12,750
Accumulated Amortization	(6,930)	(7,497)
Other [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Range of life - maximum (in years)	15
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	12,692	12,692
Accumulated Amortization	(7,202)	(6,927)
Unamoritized Trade name [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	10,000	10,000
Accumulated Amortization
Barnes Distribution North America [Member]
Goodwill:
Goodwill, beginning of period		134,875
Goodwill, end of period		134,875
Barnes Distribution North America [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Gross Amount		11,500
Barnes Distribution North America [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Other Intangible Assets:
Gross Amount		$ 800